I took my son and his girlfriend backpacking up to Parker Lake, in the June Lake Loop. This is in Mono County, CA. It was her first backpacking trip, and I wanted to make it an easy one, so as not to discourage her from ever backpacking again. Anywhere, here are some photos:

At the trailhead:

First view of the lake:

Mirror shot:

Log jams on the outlet creek:

Sunrise, Monday morning:

Just another shot of the ridge and lake:

Just me, at the trailhead:

Can anyone else upload photos anymore? I haven't been able to do so in days. Is it an error with imagemagick? I keep getting some error that flashes briefly about exceeding maximum dimensions, but I used to upload just fine. Weird. Just asking, since I can't seem to post photos at all anwhere on discuss.online. I can try on another instance, just to see what's going on...

I was traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area last weekend (AYSO referee training camp) and I stopped by a Trader Joe's near the camp, and saw a camera store.

I walked in planning to buy a spare battery for my R5, as I didn't want to risk counterfeit items on Amazon, and figure a real in-person camera store would be safe.

Well, I had my bag with me, and they had a used RF 70-200 f/4.0 on consignment, and I tried that, but then the salesperson said, "I have a new 2.8 in stock, if you just want to mount it and check it out." Ugh. I did, and loved it. He saw I had my EF-mount 70-200 2.8 in my bag, and said they'd take it as a trade-in, if I wanted to buy the new RF-mount 70-200 f/2.8.

So, with a swipe of the card, the deal was done. I was traveling down to Irvine for the AYSO National Games, so I figured I'd give it a try down there taking some sports shots. I do love how more compact it is to carry, especially while on a strap.

Thought I’d try a black and white shot. This is the Horton Creek drainage of the Sierra Nevada here in California. Basin Mountain is the highest visible peak on the right, and Horton Creek flows out between Basin Mtn. and Mt. Tom, off screen to the right.

I used a Canon R5, with an EF 70-200mm F2.8L lens (with R-mount adapter). Took it this evening while out walking the dog, about 7:30pm.

I recently upgraded from a Canon 6D to a Canon R5 body, and I just now discovered Fv mode. For those who don't know, there are some really useful shortcut modes for Aperture Variation, or Shutter Speed Variation (Av and Tv in Canon parlance), where I spent most of my time shooting on the 6D.

Now, with Fv mode, you can easily adjust shutter speed and aperture, as well as exposure and ISO with the flick of two dials. Once I put the camera in Fv mode, you use the top dial ("Mode" dial) to toggle from shutter speed, aperture, exposure, and ISO, then use the "Main" dial (the one on top, just behind the shutter button) to change values for each one, depending on what feature you want to adjust. You can quickly toggle between each of those things with your thumb on the "Mode" dial, then adjust the value you want to change and leave the other setting on "Auto" and let the camera decide the best setting for the shot, or you can spin the "Main" dial with your index finger, and change each of them - all without having to take your eye away from the viewfinder.

Since my 6D didn't have this, I'm finding it VERY convenient to shoot now. No more taking it into manual mode to change things for a shot, and then have to tediously change it back for the next shot. I can now make pretty much any adjust for a single shot, with my eye in the viewfinder. It's a real game-changer, and there is literally no more need for Av or Tv modes for me at all!

I was just wondering if other R-series Canon shooters stay in Fv mostly as well. I only just found out about it myself, after seeing a YouTube video on its utility. I had been using Av and Tv as I did on my old 6D, but now, there's no more need.

Anyway, just wanted to share my "Today I Learned" moment.

Cheers.

You can't get abs like that just pressing a few squishy grapes. For true abs of steel (or bronze, in this case), you've gotta crank that Ferris Wheel, baby!

Sorry, just a silly photo I happened to notice while visiting San Francisco this past weekend. I saw the Ansel Adams exhibit at the DeYoung museum, and when I was done, I strolled through Golden Gate park, and noticed this dumb composition, and thought I'd share. :)

This is a handheld shot of the moon I took with my new Canon R5. Taken with my older EF 70-200 f\2.8 L with RF adapter.

I really can’t believe this turned out when not using a tripod. I’m digging the in image stabilization that this camera has. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a shot of the moon by hand that turned out and showed lunar details…

I had to burn vacation days before June 30, as I had built up too many over the pandemic (since travel was restricted), so I visited my son up in Oregon. I was walking around downtown, and walked into The Shutterbug, an esteemed camera shop that’s been around for quite a while. I ended up walking out with a new Canon R5 (I’ve been saving up for a while), so I took it for a spin at the famous Portland rose garden.

Canon R5, 15-35mm f\2.8L. Was walking behind the house here in Bishop, California. I just like how it turned out, just as the sun was setting behind Wheeler Crest (Sierra Nevada mountains. )